Chapter 2 - The Locked Estate
The recorded voice of Marcus echoed loudly, demanding a massive offshore wire transfer.
Arthur stared at his best friend in absolute disbelief.
Marcus quickly stepped out of the shadows, his face perfectly calm.
He signaled the private security guards to lock every single door in the ballroom.
The heavy steel security shutters slammed down over the massive windows.
Panic erupted among the wealthy guests as they realized they were trapped.
Arthur stood protectively in front of Leo, his fists clenched in pure rage.
"You faked my son's death for money," Arthur growled at his lawyer.
Victoria tried to run toward the kitchen doors, but a guard grabbed her arm.
Marcus smiled and slowly pulled a silver handgun from his tailored suit jacket.
He explained that the corporate merger was simply a distraction to drain Arthur's bank accounts.
He ordered Arthur to hand over the voice recorder immediately.
Arthur refused to move, shielding his traumatized son with his own body.
Hannah stood bravely beside them, holding the heavy brass candlestick like a weapon.
Marcus laughed and told them the recording meant nothing without the full audio files.
He pointed his weapon directly at little Leo's chest.
Leo's hands shook, but he stubbornly gripped the small black device.
"Take it from him," Marcus ordered one of his armed guards.
The guard reached down and snatched the recorder from the boy's tiny hands.
Marcus pressed the main playback button, expecting to delete the evidence forever.
The screen flashed bright red, displaying a strict security warning.
A computerized voice announced that biometric authentication was required to unlock the storage drive.
Marcus angrily grabbed Leo's hand and pressed the boy's thumb against the scanner.
The device flashed a harsh red light and loudly denied access.
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Marcus looked down in complete confusion.
The biometric lock did not belong to the boy who had been carrying it.
